Fred McKissack Jr.'s articles, op-eds, and reviews have appeared in The Progressive Magazine, The Washington Post, Vibe Magazine, and others. He lives in Ft. Wayne, Ind. with his wife, Lisa and their son, Mark.
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Fred McKissack Jr.
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St. Louis Case: Another Black Man Shot, Another Excuse
“Feared for my life” is a go-to excuse, accepted in the court of public opinion and by juries, when considering the deaths of black men. Read more
On the Death of My Mother
I saw my mother’s strength in a moment beyond her corporeal life. She knew she had a problem, and she had moved to sort through it. She just didn’t get the chance. Read more
“Do They Know That I’m…..?!” The Film “Get Out” Reflects on What White People See.
Black is in. And the wealthy want it. Read more
Sources of Flint’s Water Disaster Run Deep
Even the federal safeguard failed Flint’s residents. Read more
North Miami Police Shoot Man for Helping While Black
He was shot doing his job—walking a young man with autism back to his group home. Read more
Why Gary Said No to New Immigrant Detention Center
A detention center is not the right project, economically or morally. Read more
Prince’s Hopeful Moment
There is a familiar pattern in how American’s sit shiva for pop icons. Read more
Why Clinton is Beating Sanders on Race
This presidential primary is now in Mondo bizarro mode, where almost nothing makes sense, particularly black adulation for the Clintons. Read more
Missouri Athletes Bust Through Intolerance
University of Missouri’s black football players showed their power to organize against racism. Read more
Black Voices: Drawing the Right Lessons from Charleston
Photo by Jason Eppink Pulling down the Confederate battle flag on the grounds of the South Carolina capitol is a step in the right direction. But our country’s problem with race won’t be solved by one long-overdue gesture. Note the ridiculo... Read more
DOJ’s Ferguson Report Reveals Systemic Racism, “Revenue Building”
If a police officer’s first duty is “to serve and protect” the people, there could be no more damning condemnation than the Ferguson department’s primary goal: to “maximize revenue.” Read more
Goodbye, St. Louis: Fleeing the Ghosts of My Hometown
Hate is a strong word, and its banal use doesn’t do any good. I passionately dislike my hometown. That fits, even though it doesn’t quite capture my deep, fatalistic feelings for a town that I thought was the greatest city when I was, well,... Read more
Why Huckabee's Beyoncé-Shaming Matters
Every generation has its moment where an older politician brings the fire and brimstone and plays cultural Moses. Invariably, he or she looks like a fool. Image credit: Getty Images Read more
Prove Us Wrong, for Once: The Course of Justice in Ferguson
Darren Wilson is free to go back to his job policing the citizens of Ferguson, if he wants. Michael Brown is dead. Image credit: Rick Majewski Read more
United Negro College Fund Corrupted by Koch Money
The Koch brothers get their money's worth in gift to United Negro College Fund. Read more
White Police, Black Men
The slaying of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, is just the latest example of why we fear the police. Read more
The NBA Was Right to Ban Donald Sterling
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was right to ban L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and fine him $2.5 million. Read more
Missouri Landfill Owner’s Smelly Amendment
Missouri Landfill Owner’s Smelly Amendment By Fred McKissack Just days after the Supreme Court decided that the nexus between big money and elected officials wasn’t corrupt comes a hot mess from Missouri that shows how private interests inf... Read more
